Hankow, Wuchang and Hanyang have been quiet and peaceful except for one regrettable incident which occurred on Sunday last (January 30) when two bluejackets from the U.S. gunboat Palos while out on a shooting trip after wild birds unfortunately killed a Chinese farmer with a bullet from " service rifle.
The unfortunate Chinese farmer has a large family depen'lent upon him and immediately after the accident occurred a crowd of villagers began to assemble which in a short time took on proportions which might have led to serious results. There were cries of "Kill the foreigners." It was just about touch and go with the bluejackets. Thanke, however, to the quick handling of the matter by the Chinese authorities, serious anti-foreign organized disturbance was avoided.
Lanchow, Feb. 4.
The Chinese New Year passed without incident. The celebrations were more enthusiastic than they were on the four previous occasions.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.